John A. Thoms, Independent Republican

By LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF SUMMIT, NEW PROVIDENCE AND BERKELEY HEIGHTS

September 25, 2010 at 6:56 PM

John A. Thoms, Independent Republican

1. When I became Mayor, we had a significant number of vacant commercial spaces along Central Avenue. Since elected, I have worked to fill those vacancies and we have seen many businesses move to the Borough. The key to getting businesses to locate here is to provide superior municipal services while demonstrating fiscal restraint. Using my financial expertise, I have teamed with the administration, finance, shared services and public safety committees to control the budget and manage our resources now and for the future. As Mayor and prior Chair of the Finance Committee, I worked with our CFO to develop long range financial plans and strategies to avoid the tax hikes and surprises our neighboring towns are now facing.

2. Yes. Oakwood Park is a perfect example. Many residents came to Council meetings, wrote emails and called. In response to the differing views on that issue, I requested a referendum and persuaded Council to approve it with unanimous support. I pledge to support the outcome of the referendum. Additionally, we recently developed a new website that improves communications with our residents. I have continued to broadcast Mayor’s forums on Borough issues and I meet with residents and Borough organizations every day to hear and address their concerns. I previously moved my business office downtown to be easily accessible to all residents.

SUMMIT, NJ – Sitting and speaking with Hayward Wheaton at his home in Scotch Plains is like taking a step back in history. On October 30 Hayward will turn 100, and is hoping to celebrate with a small party and a big chocolate cake.

Originally from Jersey City, Hayward can remember when he made $60 a month working as an elevator operator, when the mailman came twice a day (stamps ...

BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NJ – The council unanimously chose Toll Brothers as the redeveloper for the Hamilton Avenue Property.

Toll Brothers’ final bid for the land was $10,500,000. They will build 47 market value townhomes and 20 affordable housing units on the approximately 15-acre site. The four-bedroom townhomes, with the master bedroom on the main floor, and three more bedrooms ...

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders invites residents and visitors of all ages to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of National Trails Day at the Watchung Reservation on Saturday, June 2, where the County’s Trailside Nature & Science Center will host four different guided hikes and an Adopt-a-Trail volunteer activity along with special programs throughout the day for all ages. The ...

NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ – The Borough Council honored the New Providence Public Works Department (DPW) Staff for their commitment and dedication to the borough at its Monday, May 21 meeting. The council also designated May 21-26, 2018 as Public Works Appreciation Week. Mayor Al Morgan read a proclamation commending the DPW.

BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NJ – Just arrived. Over four thousand little yellow rubber duckies, ready to swim their little webbed feet off for their adoptive “parents.”

Ducky adoption tickets are just $5 each and available throughout Berkeley Heights oAm Bagel, 7-Eleven, Stop n/ Shop, and out front of our town post office to find and adopt as many duckies as you’d like.

BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NJ - The Berkeley Heights PAL has opened registration for Fall 5/6 and 7/8 travel field hockey teams, as well as a second through fourth grade Fall clinic and a Summer clinic for current second through eighth graders. Visit the PAL website, www.bhpal.org, to register. Please indicate if you need to borrow a stick.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders invites parents and caregivers to attend any of the upcoming Union County Police Department Traffic Safety Education programs to learn about car and bike safety equipment for children.

“As children start to spend more time outside and the summer travel season approaches, now is the time for parents and caregivers to ensure they are wearing ...

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders invites residents and visitors of all ages to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of National Trails Day at the Watchung Reservation on Saturday, June 2, where the County’s Trailside Nature & Science Center will host four different guided hikes and an Adopt-a-Trail volunteer activity along with special programs throughout the day for all ages. The ...

Back in India, Holi was a holiday observed by almost all states. The holiday would be declared at all educational institutes and offices. It's a two day spring festival also known as the festival of colors. The festival signifies the victory of good over bad, the arrival of spring with the fragrance of flowers in the air and aura of warmth and happiness.

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – Police Chief Allan Attanasio is the latest member of the police department to suffer repercussions from a complaint filed against the borough on May 11. Attanasio, who is not named as a defendant in the lawsuit, was “placed on administrative leave,” on Thursday by Borough Administrator and former Police Chief James Debbie, said Lt. Joseph ...

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ - South Orange Maplewood School Board Member Stephanie Lawson-Muhammad got into an altercation with a South Orange police officer who stopped her for speeding last month, in which she used profanity, complained when she was issued a ticket and called South Orange Police Chief Kyle Kroll “a skinhead cop.”

2017 Pioneer football players took on a tall task of filling a lot of open spots with not many returning players. We had 30 kids on our football team who all wanted to be there. With a new head coach who just came on board in late April, we had a lot of things to do without much time. Most people would say being on a 1-9 football team would be no fun and, at times, it wasn’t, but it was the ...

It’s is a bizarre time of year as a college counselor as I find myself at both the beginning and end of this process. Sophomores and juniors are excitedly and idealistically starting to consider what will be important to them in a school. At the same time, while only separated by a year or two, my seniors have all committed within the past month to a school and have spent the ...